NBA Scores and Standings 2021: Complete Season Updates and Team Rankings

As I sit down to analyze the 2021 NBA season, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating PVL Draft moment where Chery Tiggo and PLDT made history by selecting players outside the traditional UAAP and NCAA pipelines. Just as those Lady Titans broke from convention, we saw several NBA teams defy expectations during this remarkable season that unfolded amid pandemic challenges. The 2021 campaign was unlike any other, compressed into a 72-game schedule that tested teams' depth and resilience in ways we've never seen before.

The Brooklyn Nets' journey particularly stands out in my memory. Despite dealing with significant injuries to their superstars, they managed to secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 48-24 record. I remember watching their Christmas Day game against the Celtics, thinking how they embodied the modern NBA - explosive offense, questionable defense, but always entertaining. Kevin Durant's comeback season was nothing short of spectacular, averaging 26.9 points while shooting a career-best 53.7% from the field. The way he moved after that Achilles injury? Simply unbelievable.

Out West, the Phoenix Suns' rise reminded me of those unexpected draft picks from non-traditional schools. Chris Paul's arrival transformed them from a bubble team to genuine contenders, finishing with a conference-best 51-21 record. I've always been skeptical about "point gods" but watching CP3 orchestrate that offense while mentoring Devin Booker was pure basketball poetry. Their +7.5 point differential wasn't just the best in the league - it demonstrated how complete they were on both ends.

What fascinated me most was the Utah Jazz's dominance during the regular season. They led the league with a 52-20 record, and Donovan Mitchell's growth into a legitimate superstar was incredible to witness. I'll admit I had doubts about their playoff viability, but their +9.2 net rating throughout the season was historically great. Rudy Gobert's defensive impact numbers were off the charts - the Jazz were 12.3 points better defensively with him on the floor.

The standings told such compelling stories beyond just wins and losses. Philadelphia's 49-23 record and first-place finish in the East came despite the Ben Simmons saga, while the Knicks' surprising 41-31 campaign brought playoff basketball back to Madison Square Garden. Tom Thibodeau deserves Coach of the Year in my book, transforming a laughingstock into a defensive powerhouse virtually overnight.

Out in the Pacific Division, the Lakers' fall to 42-30 and seventh place showed how quickly fortunes can change. LeBron James missing 26 games was crucial, but I think their roster construction issues ran deeper than just injuries. The supporting cast never quite fit, and watching them struggle through the play-in tournament was surreal after their 2020 championship.

The play-in tournament itself added such drama to the final standings. Golden State's 39-33 record would have typically secured them a playoff spot, but instead they had to fight through the new format. Stephen Curry's scoring title with 32.0 points per game was arguably the most impressive individual accomplishment of the season, especially considering the defensive attention he faced nightly.

What struck me about the team rankings was how the league's balance of power had shifted. The traditional powers like San Antonio (33-39) and Houston (17-55) found themselves in unfamiliar territory, while franchises like Atlanta (41-31) and Memphis (38-34) emerged as rising forces. Trae Young leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals after a middling regular season proved that sometimes the standings don't tell the whole story.

The statistical landscape of the 2021 season revealed some fascinating trends. League-wide scoring dipped slightly to 112.1 points per game, while three-point attempts reached new heights at 34.6 per team per game. The game continues to evolve toward spacing and perimeter shooting, though I sometimes miss the post-up battles of previous eras.

Reflecting on the complete season updates, what stands out most is how teams adapted to unprecedented circumstances. The condensed schedule, COVID protocols, and empty arenas early in the season created unique challenges. Denver's 47-25 record despite Jamal Murray's ACL tear, Milwaukee's 46-26 championship campaign despite early struggles - these stories of resilience defined the season more than any single statistic could capture.

As we look toward future seasons, the 2021 standings serve as a reminder that in today's NBA, competitive balance can shift dramatically in short order. Just like those PVL draft picks from non-traditional schools proved talent can emerge from unexpected places, NBA teams like Phoenix and Atlanta demonstrated that quick turnarounds are possible with the right moves and player development. The standings tell us who won games, but they don't always reveal how teams built their success - and that's what makes following this league so endlessly fascinating to me.